Double Derby success at learndirect Achievement Awards
Posted on July 1st, 2008
A tutor and learner at Derby’s learndirect centre have been Highly Commended in the East Midlands learndirect Achievement Awards.
Tony Goodman, a friendly and popular tutor at the centre provided by Business Advice Direct (BAD), goes out of his way to help the learners, was delighted to receive his award.
‘I love the work I do and it is great to be recognised for it as well,’ he said. ‘It is a very rewarding job, and it is great to help people to achieve their dreams.’
‘Tony is truly a people person and the learners love working with him,’ said BAD’s Head of Funded Learning Fiona Wright. ‘In return Tony really appreciates the BAD family atmosphere and the friendliness and support from management.’
Tony took advantage of training opportunities while at work and having achieved the Level 3 Subject Specialist Support has also recently achieved his Level 5 University Diploma for Teaching Mathematics.
Most of Tony’s learners are unemployed, some are homeless and some are ex-offenders. They are used to feeling down trodden and disrespected, but Tony ensures this does not happen in the centre. He treats all learners as equals and feels that this gains their trust and respect.
He said: “I get a buzz out of feeling that I can help make a difference to their lives.”
Learner John Wilson is convinced he wouldn’t have passed his L2 Numeracy without Tony’s help – and Tony is even giving John free guitar lessons in his own time.
Tony also takes pride in the achievements of his learners such as Georgina Ford, who was also Highly Commended at the award ceremony held at the National Space Centre in Leicester.
Prejudice against her trans-gender status made it difficult for Georgina to retain employment – but determined to overcome this disadvantage she attended the Derby centre to upgrade her qualifications and boost her job hunting prospects.
Just three and a half months later, she left the centre with L2 Literacy, L2 Numeracy qualifications and a full ECDL - an excellent case of hard work bearing results.
Supported by Tony, Georgina settled in well at Derby and not only became an excellent learner, but also a valuable and trusted mentor to other learners.
After leaving BAD Derby she went on to achieve Level 3 Expert/Advanced IT course at another training centre and now helps at a local College with IT administration and IT support and is also instructing learners in IT.
Tony said: ‘Georgina is a perfect example of how learndirect is a leader in equality and diversity and of how much a person can achieve in such a short space of time with dedication.’
